Negative pressure wound therapy better for skin grafting, finds Study

Skin grafting is a widely used treatment in dermatology and cosmetic surgery that often has problems of graft take. A recent study in China by Zheng-Ying Jiang and team has indicated that Negative-pressure wound therapy (NPWT) reportedly increases the graft take rates when added to skin grafting. The study has been published in the Journal of Burns.

The objective of the study was to compare the effectiveness and safety of NPWT and non-NPWT for patients with skin grafts. the study was done in The Department of Burn, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, China too, treat many factors that lead to suboptimal graft take.

The researchers used systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials was conducted but a summary analysis of the data of randomized controlled trials has yet to be performed. Websites like PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and CNKI were searched for relevant trials based on predetermined eligibility criteria from database establishment to February 2020. Two reviewers screened citations and extracted data independently. The quality of the studies included was evaluated according to the Cochrane Handbook, whereas statistical heterogeneity was assessed using chi-square tests and I2 statistics. Review Manager 5.3 was used for statistical analysis.

The researchers conducted ten randomized controlled trials with 488 patients who had undergone NPWT or non- NPWT were included in the study. Compared with non-NPWT, NPWT yielded an improved percentage of graft take, a reduction in days from grafting to discharge, with the lower relative risk of re-operation, and no increased relative risk of the adverse event. Further, the subgroup analysis showed an improved percentage of graft take in negative pressure of 80 mmHg, and no improved the percentage of graft take in negative pressure of 125 mmHg.

The researchers concluded that "NPWT is more effective than non-NPWT for the integration of skin grafts, and the negative pressure of 80 mmHg can be recommended. Data on adverse events and negative pressure are, however, limited. A better understanding of complications after NPWT and the ideal negative pressure for the integration of skin grafts is imperative."

For further information:

Zheng-Ying Jiang, Xiao-Ting Yu, Xin-Cheng Liao, Ming-Zhuo Liu, Zhong-Hua Fu, Ding-Hong Min, Guang-Hua Guo "Negative-pressure wound therapy in skin grafts: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials." B U R N S 4 7 ( 2 0 2 1 ) 7 4 7 -7 5 5.